Royal Mail has suspended deliveries to homes in the Scottish town of Elgin,
claiming its postwoman was being attacked by seagulls.

Residents have been told they will have to collect their mail from the post office until the nesting season ends due to what are described as "swooping attacks".

More than 20 homes on Muirfield Road, New Elgin, have been affected by the decision, announced in a letter delivered last Saturday. Many residents are elderly or housebound, and have had difficulty getting to the Post Office on Elgin's High Street.

The Royal Mail was adamant its staff member been "attacked" while attempting to deliver mail there. The gulls are protected by law and next on the roofs of homes on the road.

"Under the circumstances, delivery has been suspended until the problem is resolved," the letter says.

George McPhee, 66, said: "The seagulls are a bloody pest, but I have been 41years in the same house and they have never hurt anybody - and that's including kiddies, dogs and cats.

"Even during The Blitz everybody was getting their post. If they have to issuethem hard hats then so be it," he said.

He has offered to accompany the postmen and women to prove the birds pose no danger.

Connie Ritchie, 72, said: "We pay for stamps for mail to be delivered to our addresses."

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "The safety of our people is paramount to Royal Mail and these swooping attacks have made it difficult for her to continue to do her job.

"Unfortunately, these frightening attacks have meant that this week we have temporarily suspended deliveries to some addresses in Muirfield Road. These kinds of attacks do occur at this time of year across the country as gulls are nesting."